The last rites of the former President of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam were performed at Peikarumbu in his hometown Rameswaram on Thursday. The mortal remains of the ‘Missile Man of India’ were laid to rest amidst the chanting of “Vandemataram” by thousands of men who have attended the funeral.
The farewell ceremony of the ‘People’s president’ was attended by thousands of people from all walks of life including the Prime Minister, Governors and other Central Ministers. The body of the former president of India, was taken from Mohaideen Andavar Mosque near his ancestral house to the burial site at Peikarumbu, before his last rites were performed according to the Muslim customs.
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, has crossed several milestones in his life before he has been called back by the Almighty. His sincerity and dedication towards his goal of making India, a developed nation, brought him the respect he deserved from the people of India. Kalam, has also been the inspiration to lakhs of Indian Youth, who admired him for his philosophy towards life. The former President of India always believed in the fact, that wasting time is the biggest crime in the life of an individual. Hence, he went on to say ” DON’T GIVE A HOLIDAY ON MY DEATH, INSTEAD WORK FOR AN EXTRA DAY, IF YOU LOVE ME”.
Born on 15th October, 1931, Dr. kalam was the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007. He was brought up in Rameshwaram, of Tamil Nadu. He studied physics and Aerospace Engineering. Kalam, spent the next four decades of his life as a scientist and science administrator. His services to the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), laid foundations for a stronger India.
Abdul Kalam was intimately involved in India’s Civilian Space Programs and Military Missile development efforts. He was considered as the “Missile Man of India”, for the services rendered by him in the development of the Ballistic missiles and the launch vehicle technology. He also played a pivotal role in the India’s 1998 Pokhran Nuclear Tests.
He was elected as the President of India, with the consent of both the ruling Bharatiya Janatha party and the opposition Indian National Congress in 2002. During his term as the president of India, Kalam was known for his simplicity despite of being the President of a country. He allowed the common man into his palace, the Rashtrapathi Bhavan and met people whenever he traveled, which is why he was widely regarded as the people’s president.
Kalam returned to his civilian Education life after his term as a president and lead a simple life of motivating the Country’s youth in the attainment of their goals. He left his last breath of life, during a lecture at the IIM Shillong, which marks the potential of his desire to make India, a developed country. This was the cause behind Kalam’s motivation towards the Youth.
Dr Abdul kalam has received several honors and awards for his service in the fields of science and technology. He has received honorary doctorates from 40 universities during his life time. The Government of India has honored him with the Padma Bhushan in 1981 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1990 for his work with ISRO and DRDO. Kalam, also received the “Bharat Ratna”, India’s highest civilian honor, for his scientific research and Modernization of the Defense Technology in India, in 2013.
Today, the most loved scientist and the people’s president has abandoned this world, but he remains forever in the hearts of every Indian who admired his dedication and contributions to his Nation. May his Soul Rest in Peace.